The District Attorney’s Office has concluded that the actions of law enforcement officers in four recent shootings and two in-custody deaths in San Diego were legally justified. The incidents, which occurred between 2021 and 2022, resulted in the deaths of five men and serious injuries to one. The review found that the shootings or deaths occurred during investigations by officers from the San Diego, Harbor, Chula Vista, and National City police departments. In two cases, the officers opened fire after being shot at or threatened with a gun, while in the other two cases, suspects armed with a knife or machete ignored commands to drop their weapons. The two men who died in police custody were found to have overdosed and experienced a medical emergency. The district attorney has stated that the officers will not face criminal charges. Caleb Lunetta reported
Review Finds Officers’ Actions Were Justified in Recent Shootings and Deaths
In a recent report, the District Attorney’s Office in San Diego stated that it had reviewed four shootings by law enforcement officers and two deaths that occurred in custody, and concluded that the officers’ actions in each case were legally justified. The incidents took place between 2021 and 2022, resulting in the deaths of five men and serious injuries to one. The review found that the shootings or deaths occurred during investigations conducted by officers from four local agencies: the San Diego, Harbor, Chula Vista, and National City police departments.
According to officials, two of the shootings occurred when individuals pointed guns or shot at the officers, prompting them to open fire. In the other two shootings, the suspects approached the officers armed with a knife or machete and ignored commands to drop their weapons. The report also revealed that the two men who died in police custody had overdosed and were experiencing a medical emergency.
The district attorney emphasized that the officers involved in these incidents will not face criminal charges. Here is a chronological breakdown of the six events:
Brian Umana, 28
Brian Umana was fatally shot on October 8, 2021, after National City Police Department officers received a report of a man armed with a sword attempting to break into a self-storage facility. When two officers arrived at the scene, they found Umana holding a machete. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Umana refused and moved towards the officers with the machete raised. The officers fired their weapons, striking Umana. A toxicology report later revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine in Umana’s system.
Eric Jesus Medina, 29
Eric Jesus Medina was wounded during a gunfight with officers in front of the San Diego Harbor Police Department on April 10, 2022. Medina approached the headquarters and used a call box to request assistance. When an officer came out to help, Medina pointed a semi-automatic handgun at him, prompting the officer to open fire. Two other officers quickly joined in, shooting at Medina. He was critically injured and taken to UC San Diego Medical Center. Medina was subsequently sentenced to nine years in state prison.
Denny Jalate, 23
Denny Jalate died shortly after being detained by San Diego police officers on October 9, 2022, at a home in City Heights. The officers had responded to a 911 call reporting that Jalate had threatened to kill his stepfather and had vandalized the house. When the officers arrived, they found Jalate being restrained by his parents. Despite attempts to revive him, Jalate remained unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at Scripps Mercy Hospital. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified alcohol poisoning, cardiovascular disease, and obesity as contributing factors in his death.
Derrick Weatherspoon, 33
Derrick Weatherspoon was fatally shot by San Diego police officers on October 18, 2022, outside a taco shop in Southcrest. When officers responded to a report of a man with a gun, Weatherspoon opened fire on them as soon as they arrived. The officers returned fire, shooting Weatherspoon multiple times. Despite his injuries, Weatherspoon continued firing until he collapsed and died at the scene. Toxicology results indicated the presence of alcohol, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his system.
Daniel Armenta, 35
Daniel Armenta died less than 30 minutes after being found overdosing on methamphetamine in City Heights on December 8, 2022. Witnesses had observed Armenta behaving erratically and walking in the middle of the street, causing vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting him. When officers arrived, Armenta had fallen to the ground and was incoherent. Despite administering Narcan and performing CPR, the officers were unable to revive him, and Armenta was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bradley Munroe, 32
Bradley Munroe was shot and killed by a Chula Vista police officer on December 18, 2022, in a parking lot. The incident began when multiple callers reported a woman screaming for help and a man assaulting her at a nearby shopping center. When the officer arrived, he encountered Munroe, who was armed with a knife. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Munroe advanced towards the officer, leading to the officer shooting him. Munroe succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, PCP, and fentanyl in his system.
In conclusion, the District Attorney’s Office deemed the actions of the law enforcement officers involved in these incidents to be legally justified. The detailed review sheds light on the circumstances surrounding each event, providing insights into the decision-making process of the officers and the presence of substances in the deceased individuals’ systems..